Cisforcaro
- Date posted
- 3y
Jesse MillerJesse Miller
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
Have you received any treatment for your OCD? I see you go to a doctor, but did you go through a recovery program? I ask to give a better clear answer of where I can give advice! From what I read in your post though, it sounds like you’re checking and reassurance seeking. Let’s remember that when OCD does flare up, leaning into our compulsions can worsen our symptoms. It’s definitely a challenge when we have a flare up to want to seek safety, but let’s find acceptance in the uncomfortable moments. You’ve probably had flare ups before, and most likely you will have them again! The progress is that when we start to have flare ups, we use ERP to navigate through it. This helps in times of flare ups and you’ll notice symptoms will start to decrease faster when you are taking the recovery route instead of leaning into compulsions. Compulsions are what can keep us locked in. Also, medication can several weeks to kick in, so be gentle on yourself if it doesn’t work right away and give it some time!
CisforcaroCisforcaro
- Date posted
- 3y
I was diagnosed in 2014 after I had my son. I ended up at a partial hospitalization program because I couldn't get in with a therapist or doctor and I was in distress. After that, I was diagnosed, put on 100mg of Zoloft and I improved rather quickly. I have the same psychiatrist, but I haven't had a therapist in a while. Every 2 years, I have a relapse. I think it's from not taking my medication right (I start missing doses here and there) and added stress. My appetite is better, and I felt mostly normal today until some bad DPDR feelings swelled at dinner and I started having intrusive thoughts about thinking I had schizophrenia again. I am hoping I even out soon. I'm in that really uncomfortable period of feeling good for extended amounts of time and then anxiety creeps back, causes DPDR, and then my OCD latches onto worrying about schizophrenia or losing my grip on reality and stuff.
Jesse MillerJesse Miller
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
@Cisforcaro Did you ever go through a program that was ERP based or was it always talk therapy?
CisforcaroCisforcaro
- Date posted
- 3y
@Jesse Miller CBT only.
Jesse MillerJesse Miller
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
@Cisforcaro I think CBT is helpful but ERP is definitely key in recovery! The difference is that ERP teaches us not to run from our fears and embrace them. Maybe the thoughts are true, maybe they’re not. We learn to keep exposing ourselves to our thoughts and responding to them with acceptance and not leaning into compulsions. CBT can sometimes be tricky because we might accidentally lean into compulsions when we don’t even realize we are and can increase OCD symptoms
CisforcaroCisforcaro
- Date posted
- 3y
@Jesse Miller I've tried to take that "maybe, maybe not" approach to my thoughts, but it just creates a panic loop in my head.
Jesse MillerJesse Miller
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
@Cisforcaro It can be really scary when you first start using it, but it’s important to remember that we don’t know the answer to our thoughts and we shouldn’t try to give into ruminations. We can easily spiral backdown the OCD rabbit hole if we convince it that our thoughts have importance
CisforcaroCisforcaro
- Date posted
- 3y
@Jesse Miller Definitely been ruminating all evening and "checking" (trying to see if I better or not). I'm trying to give my meds and their increase some time, then ask my doctor on Wednesday during my appointment for some OCD therapist recommendations.
Jesse MillerJesse Miller
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
@Cisforcaro Good idea! NOCD is always a good place to go for recovery too.
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